The next time someone compliments your brain, feel free to say," I got it from my mama!"

Here is some fantastic news for all the mothers out there: your child's intelligence is coming from you. And what's more intriguing is that smart and dedicated mothers make successful adults. It's a bit depressing news for all dads. Still, there's no doubt that a kid from a stable two-parent home has better chances of nailing the art of living. But, let's go back to moms and how they spread their wisdom to us before we even get to see the world.

The research

You probably know that intelligence has an inherited component. Until a few years ago, we thought that it depended on both parents. But, several studies revealed that children tend to inherit intelligence from the mother. Because intelligence genes are found on chromosome X, and that's the mom gene.

Ever since the 1980s, scientists were struggling with the idea that being smart comes from one parent. Finally, a recent study conducted by the Medical Research Council Social and Public Health Sciences Unit in Glasgow, Scotland, proved that the X chromosome is the one responsible for your intelligence. The research found that the best predictor of intelligence was the IQ of the mother. In fact, the young people's IQ varied only an average of 15 points from that of their mothers.

More than IQ

But, genetics means nothing if you don't get proper development through physical and emotional contact. Researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered that children who have developed a secure attachment with their mothers develop a capacity for playing complex symbolic games at the age of two years, are more persistent, and show less frustration while problem-solving. So, again, even if you're not the sharpest tool in the box, your mother can provide you with some extra wit.

It's been proven that 40-60% of intelligence comes from our parents, well moms, to be precise. The remaining percentage depends on the environment, stimulation, and personal characteristics. Intelligence or IQ is the ability to solve problems. Life, however, is full of situations where you have to rely on other factors. That's where emotional intelligence or other, mostly hereditary traits kick in. Naturally, your ability to learn and improve yourself is the most substantial factor of whether you'll become a successful, fully functioning adult.

Emotional intelligence

When it comes to emotional intelligence, it's the capability to recognize feelings. You can't further develop what your mama gave you in terms of intelligence, but you can develop specific skills. Psychologists who study emotional intelligence sometimes claim that it is actually more important than general knowledge. This statement is controversial. The funny thing is that no one can honestly say whether it's BS or there's more truth to it.

So how do you develop EQ? Practice self-awareness, by learning to recognize your own emotions, as well as what others are feeling in certain situations. Ideally, IQ and EQ are in sync. But, life is always six degrees of chaos, and we all know that this balance barely exists.

To all the great moms out there, pat yourself on the back! You give your kids more than life. You give them brains!